| Author | Message | ||
     Steveford |
Gentlemen, When the 1125 first came out it was sucking the battery dead and then I stopped paying much attention to new bikes for a bit. I'm trying to educate myself and it looks like the potential issues are: wheel bearings (what a surprise) stators (very expensive) cams (rare problem? but expensive) clutch fluid leaks (aggravating but fixable) I guess that they fixed the dead battery overnight problem early on. What else am I missing and is there one particular year that is the best of the bunch? I ride around 20,000 miles/year so really need something that will get me where I'm going and won't get beaten into the ground in short order. Like any sensible person, I REALLY don't want to have to rely on H-D for anything. Thanks in advance, Steve Ford | ||
| Froggy |
Pretty much the same wheel as your Uly, so you know the drill by now.
Only on 2009 and 2010 models, if you get one with a warranty, have the dealer swap in the 2008 components.
Yep, rare problem, seems to be mostly early 08's.
Buell released a fix it kit that solves the issue. $200 for a new piston and seals, and is not too hard to replace. Not all bikes are affected. Thats it for the main issues. Most of the other issues are minor like a bad batch of rear turn signals, outdated ECM programming, and so on. | ||
| Fitz1125 |
Not a good idea to tell someone to get a bike with a warranty and swap in 2008 components, when many riders are reporting that dealerships are refusing to do this. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Fitz1125 - Go read the Aprilia and some of the other forums... These issues are not unique, posplayr has shared his Electrical Engineering knowledge here, the Aprilia forums and ??? The 40 amp Compufire Regulator Rectifier is a series design that will help the stator run cooler. A new stator and Compufire RR is considered the answer on one Aprilia forum. | ||
| Fitz1125 |
Unrelated topic is unrelated. I was referring to his advice to "have the dealer swap in 2008 components" under warranty The dealers will not do this under warranty. So, my question to you is: what does MY post have to do with aprilia forums, compufire regulators, etc? Nothing, that's what. (Message edited by Fitz1125 on July 26, 2011) | ||
| Sl33py |
Steve, the 08's had the drain issue and cluster issues (new cluster fixed). Some changes to the injectors (targeted) going to 09. 09 has a higher output (but more cheaply made maybe) stator - which can fail from heat. 10's have the sight glass for oil which is trick, but only a few 10's made it off the line before H-F'ing-D screwed Buell. 10's also have the 3 bearing rear wheel (on an 08 or 09 check the bearing cover color - orange = old and suspect, black cover is the better set). clutch leak is not uncommon on all - Rev A and Rev B, but the latest fix seems to be working (mine failed 7k'ish - 1k on new). Quirks don't seem to be only Buell is what i think the guys are "discussing" the relevance of. Similar engines in the Aprilia's have stator issues, etc. Great bikes and if you have a Uly i don't see how it can be any more upkeep than that. that's what i understand off the top of my head. Hopefully it will help. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Steve, I'm taking a guess but looking at your profile page you seem to know which end of a wrench to hold so I'd say get one. I've had LOTS of bikes and these are a very fine street-sport ride especially after you get them dialed in to your taste. If you were someone looking for one as their only ride and were not likely to do more than oil changes themselves, I'd point you towards something not quite so esoteric. Speed Triple gives much the same rush for example. Whaddya got in the way of Guzzis? | ||
| Dannybuell |
Fitz1125 - the issues with the 2009+ are the electrical system. A motorcycle electrical stystem is comprised of a stator, rotor, and voltage regulator. Other brands have similar problems. You are welcome sir! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Fitz - depends on the dealer, it is NOT H-D policy(yet). If you have a good relationship with your shop and are nice about it, your chances go up. I have 27k miles on my 1125R, an early 08, and love her like no bike I have ever owned. Looks like my fuel pump is dying again tho. Glad I have the 09 Uly as backup. Z | ||
| Guy_glover |
I have 27k miles on my 1125R, an early 08, and love her like no bike I have ever owned. I'll second that NO complaints here. | ||
| Steveford |
Thanks for the input - it looks like 09 or 10 and chuck the earlier stator. Aftermarket sounds more attractive on that one. A used race ECM showed up today so I'll give it a shot tomorrow and see if I can get at least 15 miles on it without throwing a code. If so, it'll just be TPS reset time. Right now it's shutting off the fuel when it gets hot - the plugs came out bone dry. In the meantime, I'll continue having an S1 beat my brains out. It's starting to burn oil at 17.5K miles which is disappointing. I suspect it's those stupid valve guide seals. I'm currently devoid of Guzzis but did own a dealership at one time with maybe 8 or 9 personal ones - V7 Sport, 850-T, carb LeMans models and a very aggravating Daytona. Fuel injection issues just like the Useless is having right now. It doesn't sound like there's anything on the 1125s that the bigger hammer can't fix. Aside from the bit with the cams nothing seems really alarming. All bikes have their issues so you fix them and keep on going. | ||
| Fitz1125 |
Danny, what the hell does that have to do with my post? I merely stated that many dealers weren't willing to swap in 08 parts? You seem to be seeing a lot of stuff in my post that isn't there. Almost like someone with a learning disability | ||
| Fitz1125 |
Zac, that's good to know. My tech said my stator looks great, and that he couldn't swap in an 08... but then again, he did say that it seemed like a reasonable idea. Maybe if mine goes, I can convince him to do it. My stator is fine for now. 5200 miles and no signs of burned wiring, voltage checks all good, etc. I love my bike, too. The way I see it, if the stator goes, i'll replace it and keep enjoying this ugly, ugly motorcycle! (Message edited by Fitz1125 on July 27, 2011) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Fritz, please stop the personal attacks. Steve mentioned a concern about the stator. Danny mentioned a common and effective solution. You indicated that telling somebody with a warranty that it's a bad idea to pay for a non warranty part to solve a problem. I disagree, as may others, and I don't think it's indicative of a learning disability. It might not be a pleasant option, but so far the choices seem to be: 1) Keep using your warranty to put in parts that will keep failing and keep costing you cost you down time and "mechanical entopy" resulting from a stack of opportunities for defect when people R&R a stator. 2) Pay a significant sum out of pocket for a proven solution. 3) Join the search for a cheaper fix. Of the three, the first sounds like the worst to me, but I like to ride, and I learned long ago that "fighting on principals" against a big corporation is for the most part a waste of my time when all that is at stake is money. YMMV, and you are welcome to your own opinion, but please stop the personal attacks, it's inconsistent with the community we are trying to maintain on this site. Thanks! | ||
| Fitz1125 |
No, I indicated that its a bad idea to assume that a dealer will swap in 08 parts UNDER warranty, because dealers are saying they won't. Seriously... do people read posts? Someone suggested "get one with a warranty, and have them swap in 2008 components." I say, dealers are not gonna DO this under warranty. Really, my post isn't hard to understand. And, it had nothing to do with dannybuells replies. His replies were unrelated to my original reply. Taking what I said out of context and repeatedly replying with unrelated information is indeed indicative of a cognitive disability... it wasn't a personal attack. Whatever. OP. Buy the bike and enjoy it... just don't be surprised when your dealer tells you "no" when you ask them to swap in 2008 parts under warranty. (Message edited by Fitz1125 on July 28, 2011) | ||
| Northernyankee |
>>No, I indicated that its a bad idea to assume that a dealer will swap in 08 parts UNDER warranty, because dealers are saying they won't. OP. Buy the bike and enjoy it... just don't be surprised when your dealer tells you "no" when you ask them to swap in 2008 parts under warranty. +1 | ||
| Milezero5 |
Actually the post says "if you get one with a warranty" just saying, all in all id say get one, but if your 6ft.1 without boots, you may want to get an R. The highway feels like a sparing match as I get the crap beat out of me from no wind protection on my cr. | ||
| Dannybuell |
FItz1125 - Off to a good start! There are some here who have posted that they successfully had dealers put in 08 parts on warranty. The point about Aprilia was to demonstrate that stator issues occur in other brands, lots of other brands have stator issues. ad hominem - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ad%20hom inem Your post is hyper critical and lacks empathy or imagination which suggests that you are over stressed. I have been there, not a problem. Good Day Sir! | ||
| Fitz1125 |
Danny: gotcha. The aprilia comment made no sense to me in the context of the post I made. Now I understand. Stressed? Yep. Always. As for the 08 stator solution.. maybve we should compile a list of dealers who have done it. Then we can all know who to go to! :-) | ||
| Jules |
all in all id say get one, but if your 6ft.1 without boots, you may want to get an R. The highway feels like a sparing match as I get the crap beat out of me from no wind protection on my cr. I managed to score a Laminar Lip off eBay for $20 shipped, I bought it 'cause I figured I could "make it fit" my friends CB1000R.. Oddly enough it went straight on with no mods needed. He reports back that he can now cruise at 20-30MPH more with it fitted than he could before. Might be worth considering one... | ||
| Milezero5 |
Ive looked into it, but its so ugly. It looks like the guy from halo with it on. Does any one know if the carbon fiber one helps at all, its looks a tad taller. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
A good solution to wind blast on an un-faired bike is to lower your riding position with lower bars. It puts you forward into the wind, which counteracts the wind blast. Although, I think standard CR's already have the "R" riding position, which is already forward. Another one is to buy a really good, aerodynamically tuned helmet like the Bell Star or Shoei RF1100, etc. (Message edited by rogue_biker on July 28, 2011) | ||
| Jules |
It looks like the guy from halo with it on. It reminds me of Elvis, All quiff and sideburns... |
